Mozart: 1st movement from Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550
QUESTION SHEET (Answers)
1. In which Century was this symphony composed? 18th Century
2. What style is this piece of music written in? Classical
3. Comment on how Mozart uses the following musical elements in the 1st movement from Symphony No.
40 in G minor, K550. (Remember to use correct musical vocabulary where appropriate.)
Melody: i) Well proportioned/balanced and graceful melody lines ii) Regular (periodic) phrases/4+4
bars iii) Contrasting melodies as first and second subjects iv) Motif of first subject developed in
central section (development) v) Any other valid point
Harmony and tonality i) Harmony is largely diatonic ii) Functional harmony/based on chords I, II, IV,
V (V7) and VI iii) Some chromatic notes iv) Diminished 7th used as a chromatic chord v) Perfect
cadences define keys vi) Music modulates to related/unrelated keys (credit any mention of keys passed
through in development section) vii) First subject in G minor viii) second subject in relative major B
flat ix) Second subject in recapitulation is in tonic (G minor) x) Any other valid point
Texture: i) Main texture is homophonic ii) Some dialogue between strings and woodwind iii) Oboes
and bassoons often provide harmonic filling iv) Doubling of parts v) Use of octaves vi) Orchestral
textures are varied throughout the movement vii) Any other valid point
Structure: i) Sonata form ii) Exposition, development and recapitulation sections iii) Contrast of two
subjects/themes iv) Bridge section between first and second subjects (for modulation) v) Exposition
often repeated vi) Ends with coda vii) Any other valid point
Instrumentation: i) Classical orchestra ii) Strings iii) Seven woodwind players of one flute, two oboes,
two clarinets, two bassoons iv) Brass section is two horns (in B flat and G) v) No trumpets or timpani
used in this work vi) Any other valid point
4. How many themes are there in this piece? TWO (Sing or hum each one quietly to yourself)
5. The first theme is played by the 1st and 2nd VIOLINS
6. What is the interval between the two parts that play the first theme?
i) Second. X
ii) Fifth. X
iii) Octave. 
iv) Tenth. X
7. State two ways that the instrumentation for this symphony is different from the usual Classical orchestra.
i) No trumpets/only (French) horns/smaller brass section ii) No timpani/no percussion
iii) Only uses one flute
(2)
The following questions relate to an extract of the piece (bars 44-72)
8. Which theme does Mozart use in this extract? 2nd subject
9. Which of the following best describes the tonality at the start of the extract?
i) Major, with some chromatic notes 
ii) Major throughout X
iii) Minor, with some chromatic notes X
iv) Minor throughout X
10. Complete the sentences, choosing the correct words from the choices given below each blank space.
At the very end of the extract, the violins, bassoons and _____flutes_________ play a
flutes
_______falling________
rising
falling
oboes
_______scale_____________. It is performed _______staccato_______ .
scale
arpeggio
legato
staccato
11. The extract is taken from the exposition section of this movement. Name two other sections commonly
found in sonata form.
Any two of: i) Development ii) Recapitulation iii) Coda/codetta iv) Bridge passage
The following questions relate to an extract of the piece (bars 260 -299)
12. At the start of the extract, which three woodwind instruments play the motif?
1. Clarinet 2. Flute 3. Bassoon (in any order) One mark for each correct answer.
13. Describe the dynamics in the extract as a whole. Make two points. Any two of:
i) Much use of contrasting dynamics ii) Some use of dynamic shading (crescendo and diminuendos)
iii) Starts quietly/piano/p iv) Then loud (tutti/full orchestra) v) suddenly quiet again
vi) Ends forte/loud (tutti/full orchestra)
14. The Music in the coda is based on which theme? 1st Subject
15. Complete the following about the last eight bars of the extract:
The whole orchestra plays loudly in a(n) _Homophonic/chordal_ texture and the harmony is based only on
chords I and V/five The movement ends with a Perfect/full close/V-I cadence in G minor/tonic minor.